Rollable device with features aiding soft tissue release and muscle loosening

Abstract

A rollable apparatus includes a housing being annular in shape, a heating element mounted about the exterior of the housing, a vibration-inducing motor mounted in the interior of the housing and attached thereto, and a set of batteries mounted in the interior of the housing. The set of batteries is provided for powering the heating element to control the temperature of the housing and for powering the vibration motor to induce oscillatory motion in the housing. The apparatus also includes a set of user controls mounted so as to be accessible at the exterior of the housing, a front cover removably mounted so as to form a portion of the exterior of the housing at one end thereof, and a skin of pliable cushioning material covering the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rollable apparatus, comprising:
 a housing being annular in shape; 
 a heating element mounted about the exterior of said housing, wherein said heating element comprises an annular band and a plurality of arcuate strands attached to said band in a laterally spaced-apart array that matches an array of grooves formed in the exterior of said housing such that said heating element strands fit within said array of grooves formed in said housing exterior; 
 a vibration-inducing motor mounted in the interior of said housing and attached thereto; 
 at least one battery mounted in the interior of said housing for powering said heating element to heat said housing to temperature level within a given temperature range and for powering said vibration-inducing motor to induce oscillatory motion in said housing; and a set of user controls mounted on said housing to control said heating element and said vibration-inducing motor. 
 
     
     
       2. The rollable apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a microprocessor mounted in said housing for receiving inputs from said set of user controls operated by a user to control respective operation of said heating element and vibration-inducing motor. 
     
     
       3. The rollable apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a temperature sensor in said housing for sensing and inputting temperature status of said heating element to said microprocessor for controlling operation of said heading element. 
     
     
       4. The rollable apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said set of user controls comprises a set of user-operated push buttons for activating inputs to said microprocessor and a plurality of LED lights controlled by said microprocessor for indicating the status of said heating element and vibration-inducing motor. 
     
     
       5. The rollable apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a battery fuel gauge for indicating the status of battery electrical charge to said microprocessor, and a battery charger operable for increasing the electrical charge of said battery. 
     
     
       6. The rollable apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a skin of pliable cushioning material covering said housing and said heating element thereon. 
     
     
       7. The rollable apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said housing comprises front and rear housing portions, said front housing portion has a rear annular rim and said rear housing portion has a front annular rim that faces toward and fits with said rear annular rim of said front housing portion. 
     
     
       8. The rollable apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said rear housing portion of said housing has a plurality of rear lugs formed on, and protruding radially inward from, the interior of said rear housing portion at angular and circumferentially-spaced relationships to one another and proximate said front annular rim such that said rear lugs terminate substantially flush with said front annular rim. 
     
     
       9. The rollable apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said front housing portion of said housing has a plurality of front lugs formed on, and protruding radially inward from, the interior of said front housing portion at angular and circumferentially-spaced relationships to one another and proximate said rear annular rim such that said front lugs terminate substantially flush with said rear annular rim and said front lugs on said front housing portion are alignable with said rear lugs on said rear housing portion when said front and rear housing portions are fitted to one another. 
     
     
       10. The rollable apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said housing also comprises a plurality of fasteners securing aligned pairs of said front and rear lugs together and thereby detachably attach said front and rear housing portions to one another. 
     
     
       11. A rollable apparatus, comprising:
 a housing being annular in shape; 
 a heating element mounted about the exterior of said housing; 
 a vibration-inducing motor mounted in the interior of said housing and attached thereto; 
 at least one battery mounted in the interior of said housing for powering said heating element to heat said housing to a temperature level within a given temperature range and for powering said vibration-inducing motor to induce oscillatory motion in said housing; 
 a set of user controls mounted on said housing to control said heating element and said vibration-inducing motor; 
 a front cover removably mounted on the exterior of said housing so as to cover said set of user controls; and 
 rear and front roller elements mounted to said end of said housing and to said front cover such that said front cover must be removed to gain access to said set of user controls. 
 
     
     
       12. The rollable apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a grip handle device being detachable and attachable to said rear and front roller elements to enable a user to grasp and carry said rollable apparatus. 
     
     
       13. The rollable apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a microprocessor mounted in said housing for receiving inputs from said set of user controls operated by a user to control respective operation of said heating element and vibration-inducing motor. 
     
     
       14. The rollable apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said heating element comprises an annular band and a plurality of arcuate strands attached to said band in a laterally spaced-apart array that matches an array of grooves formed in the exterior of said housing such that said heating element strands fit within said array of grooves formed in said housing exterior. 
     
     
       15. The rollable apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a skin of pliable cushioning material covering said housing and said heating element thereon. 
     
     
       16. The rollable apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said housing comprises front and rear housing portions, said front housing portion having a rear annular rim and said rear housing portion having a front annular rim that faces toward and fits with said rear annular rim of said front housing portion. 
     
     
       17. A rollable apparatus, comprising:
 a housing being annular in shape; 
 a heating element mounted about the exterior of said housing, wherein said heating element comprises an annular band and a plurality of arcuate strands attached to said band in a laterally spaced-apart array that matches an array of grooves formed in the exterior of said housing such that said heating element strands fit within said array of grooves formed in said housing exterior; 
 a vibration-inducing motor mounted in the interior of said housing and attached thereto; 
 at least one battery mounted in the interior of said housing for powering said heating element to heat said housing to a temperature level within a given temperature range and for powering said vibration-inducing motor to induce oscillatory motion in said housing; 
 a set of user controls mounted on said housing to control said heating element and said vibration-inducing motor; 
 a roller element mounted to one end of said housing; and 
 a cover mounted to an opposite end of said housing and having an opening recessed centrally therein through which to gain access to said set of user controls such that said cover need not be removed to access said set of user controls. 
 
     
     
       18. The rollable apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising a glove handle device detachably attachable to said roller element at a respective one of the opposite ends of said housing for receiving a hand of a user to grasp and direct the rollable apparatus in contact with areas of the body of a user for application of a treatment thereto. 
     
     
       19. The rollable apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising a microprocessor mounted in said housing for receiving inputs from said set of user controls operated by a user to control respective operation of said heating element and vibration-inducing motor.